Download this article in PDF format
ARTC has completed the construction and implementation of new train control systems and automated signalling systems in less than 24 months.
The milestone $80 million Train Control Consolidation Program implemented by Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC) to fully automate signalling and train control functions on its NSW interstate rail network has now been completed.” David Marchant Chief Executive of ARTC said today.
“This modernisation of the signalling and consolidation of train control on the NSW interstate network has been a mammoth task achieved over the past 24 months bringing the latest remote controlled system to the NSW interstate rail network.” Mr Marchant said.
Under the project all 28 of the 19th century manually operated signal boxes have been fully automated to Phoenix train control system technology and consolidated to ARTC’s two new Train Control Centres, Network Control Centre North (NCCN) at Broadmeadow and Network Control Centre South (NCCS) at Junee.
The TCC project which forms part of ARTC’s $2.1 billion North South Rail upgrade program commenced in November 2006 at Maitland and finished with the removal of 2 signal boxes in Cootamundra on 19 October 2007.
The project included ARTC’s resumption of control of the Pt Waratah and Kooragang terminals at the Port of Newcastle with these train control functions now operated out of ARTC’s NCCN Broadmeadow
On the Western line, the Orange Control Centre and the Dubbo signal box were integrated into the Broadmeadow Network Control Centre on 27 July 2007.
The new automated system introduced a new network control team of 10 new Transit Managers (5 at Broadmeadow, 5 at Junee) 81 network controllers (58 at Broadmeadow and 23 at Junee), 7 programmers (4 at Broadmeadow and 3 at Junee.
Supporting terminal operations are a new terminals manager, 5 terminal coordinators and 2 terminal/coal planners located at the Pt Waratah and Kooragang Terminals.
Work was carried out by ARTC through its Alliance partners on both the north and south.
The new network control system improves the efficiency and the safety of rail operations. Under the old system, messages were passed between a number of people before they got to a train driver or train controller. Now the driver and network controller communicate directly and the network controller has finger tip control of the signals on the ground.